Battery will not keep a charge

[tlavergne]

I have a 5 year old Grasshopper (165 hrs) with a 24 HP B&S engine (Model 400000). After 6 or so starts the battery is dead and I have to recharge it. Have tried several new batteries and the same thing happens. Obviously the battery is not getting charged while the engine is running. I checked at the voltage regulator and I have 12 volts output while running. Any ideas? I have talked with my Grasshopper dealer and he thinks that as the voltage regulator gets hot it stops putting out sufficient voltage to charge the battery. I am trying to get a handle on this before I allow the dealer to start throwing money at the problem in hopes that something works.
Many thanks for any replies.
Tom

 

[EngineMan]

You should have a little more then 12volts running, if you know that the battery is 100% then I would renew the regulator/rectifier before the stator.
Can also be lose wiring or connection, but I'll go for the regulator.

 

[tlavergne]

Well, I was wondering that. I don't know the exact numbers but shouldn't the voltage regulator put out something like 14 volts to charge the battery?

 

[EngineMan]

With engine running at 3600 RPM, AC output should be no less than 14 Volts.

The amperage produced depends on the battery voltage. If the battery is below 11 Volts, the output reading would be 5 or 9 Amps, depending upon the alternator system being tested. The amperage will be less at maximum battery voltage. If NO or LOW output is found, be sure that the regulator-rectifier is grounded properly and all connections are clean and secure. If there is still NO or LOW output, replace the regulator-rectifier.